Umrah Postponement Assessed For Protection, DPR Asks Congregants To Be Patient

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JAKARTA - Member of Commission IX of the House of Representatives, Saleh Partaonan Daulay, understands the government's decision to postpone sending Umrah pilgrims to the Holy Land as protection for pilgrims.

The reason is that the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 is increasingly worrying. Saleh said, many countries are also taking anticipatory steps like Indonesia did.

"Furthermore, from the shari'ah point of view, it is stated that those who are allowed to perform Hajj and Umrah are those who are able (istitho'ah). Being able here not only has travel costs and expenses for the bereaved family, but is also safe on the way. "With the widespread spread of this Omicron variant, travel is considered unsafe," Saleh told reporters, Friday, December 24.

The chairman of the DPR PAN faction hopes that prospective pilgrims who want to leave can be patient. "You must not rush if it endangers safety. All parties are expected to pray that the COVID-19 virus can really disappear everywhere," said Saleh.

Saleh also asked the Umrah Travel Organizing Association (PPIU) to provide good information and education to all prospective pilgrims. This includes explaining the next departure plan, the security of the pilgrims' money that has been deposited, and the responsibility to return the pilgrims' funds if requested. This is certainly not easy. He also hopes that all parties can understand the existing situation.

"The congregation needs certainty. Certainty to go and worship. Therefore, it is necessary to submit an estimate of the next departure schedule," said Saleh.

"Congregants also usually want to make sure that their funds are safe. In fact, there are those who ask to be returned. It is hoped that the PPIU can fulfill all the demands and expectations of the pilgrims. And the government must ensure that there are no obstacles in matters relating to things like this," he said. pious. It is known that as many as 25 advance teams from the Umrah Travel Organizer (PPIU) are scheduled to go to the Holy Land to carry out their first Umrah, Thursday, December 23. The advance team was represented by five associations, namely Ampuh, Amphuri, Asphuri, Asphurindo, and Himpuh.

"God willing, this advance team will leave tonight to try out the system and the selected people. For trial and error related to the system made by the government between Siskopatuh, PeduliLindung and Tawakalna," said Secretary General of the Central Executive Board of the Muslim Association of Hajj and Umrah Organizers of the Republic of Indonesia. (DPP AMPHURI), Farid Aljawi in Jakarta, Thursday, December 23.

This initial departure was a follow-up to the travel association's request to the Ministry of Religion to continue sending pilgrims during the pandemic. This is to provide information to the public, both related to Umrah during the pandemic and the new provisions implemented by Saudi Arabia.

"If it is postponed, it becomes a polemic because why is it okay to go abroad but not for Umrah. All Umrah is not ready if it is in large numbers, if it is not ready in small quantities, including the first departing now," he said.